Take a Breath(25)

The voices get muffled after this and I’m now practically hyperventilating. My goodness girl, get a grip.

I sit up from my bed and toss the bag with my dress in upside down. It is a beautiful dress and apt for the occasion. I decide I must jump in the shower for a quick wash as the heat of the day has taken its toll on me.

I slide in and close my eyes as the cool water relief helps ease my tension. I see Jake through my closed eyes. I see him and that hunger in his eyes. I feel him caressing my breasts and kissing me like his life depended on it. I feel his finger tips trail down from my breasts to my stomach and cup my sex. I let out a heavy sigh and I’m quickly snapped out of my dream remembering where I am. It would seem Jake has made me into this living breathing sex machine. I can’t stop thinking about it now I’ve had it. I just want more. Once will never be enough.

I get out of the shower and towel myself dry. I brush my hair and check my makeup is still in place. All seems fine.

I put my dress on and look at myself in the tall mirror in the corner of my room. More people are downstairs now as I can hear them. I check the clock and it says 4:37. Where has the time gone? I take a few deep breaths, it’s now or never.

I open my door and the voices are getting louder now. I creep down the steps to all the commotion. I get to the bottom of the stairs and turn around. It is then I have noticed all is quiet as I have what feels like a hundred pairs of eyes upon me. I go a bright scarlet before plucking up the courage to speak.

“Has someone died in here? I thought this was a party.”

I hear a few chuckles and all returns to normal. Tony comes swiftly over to me.

“Ana, wow, just wow. Words fail me. You look even more beautiful than normal if that is ever possible.”

He gives me a hug and kisses me on the cheek. I look around for Jake, but can’t find him.

“Thank you Tony, it is nice of you to say. I need a drink so I’ll just head to the fridge for some wine.”

Tony winks at me as I pass and I head out to the kitchen. I say a few hellos and there are lots of compliments flying. I get to the fridge and grab a glass from the counter. I notice that there are some more Pinot Grigio bottles stacked in there with one open, so I pour myself a glass. I need some Dutch courage.

I look out of the window into the pool area and find Jake at the barbeque cooking up some burgers and sausages. I get a waft of the smell come through the open door and it’s then that it hits me just how hungry I am. He looks like a God, even standing at a barbeque hot and sweaty and possibly feeling the heat ten times worse than everyone else. He’s laughing at what someone says and turns around to face me. I catch my breath. He’s staring at me now with those piercing green eyes again. At that moment we are locked to each other and no one else exists. It feels as though his eyes are buried deep into my soul and I don’t want to ever have him crawl back up.

I am quickly brought out of my trance when Jake’s stare is broken by Ian’s want of attention. I avert my eyes and suddenly realise that I’m holding my breath again. I let out a deep sigh and down my glass in one go. Boy am I nervous.

“Steady there, girl. You have all evening to get drunk, why start so early?”

I jump at the sound of his voice. “Sorry, Tony. It’s just been a bit manic today and I thought this might calm me down. I will slow it down a bit now.”

He goes in the fridge and grabs the bottle of Pinot. He pours me another glass and sets the bottle down. He looks me in the eye with worry, sweeping a lock of hair away from my face.

“You look so beautiful, Ana. I wish you would accept my invitations to spoil you. I want nothing more than to be with you, you know that, don’t you? If there is anything you want to speak with me about or anything I can do for you, I am here.”

He is so sweet, but he could never make me as happy as Jake would.

“Thanks, Tony, I’m fine. Really I am,” I reply.

“Can I ask if you’re seeing someone?”

What do I say to that?

“No, Tony. It’s complicated that’s all. I have things going on in my head that I need to sort out first before entering any kind of relationship. I’m just not ready, that’s all.”

He looks disappointed but he seems to understand.

He is about to answer when a voice in the kitchen interrupts us. “Well, you can always have lots of meaningless sex with me babes. If you want something uncomplicated I’m your man.”

I whip around to find James standing there with a devilish grin on his face. I was about to make a sarcastic retort when I felt Tony stiffen against me.

“Don’t you fucking talk about her like that.”